What's Happening?
NATO has emphasized the importance of resilience and civil preparedness as central pillars of its collective defense strategy. Rooted in Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty, resilience involves the capacity
to prepare for, resist, respond to, and recover from shocks and disruptions. Civil preparedness supports military operations by ensuring continuity of government, essential services, and civil support. NATO's policy on resilience is guided by the Resilience Committee, which addresses issues such as disinformation, critical infrastructure resilience, and supply chain security. The alliance aims to strengthen national and collective resilience against military and non-military threats.
Why It's Important?
Resilience and civil preparedness are vital for NATO's ability to deter and defend against contemporary security threats. The focus on strengthening resilience reflects the unpredictable security environment characterized by strategic competition, instability, and recurrent shocks. Effective civil preparedness ensures that civilian sectors can support military operations during crises. The emphasis on resilience highlights the need for a whole-of-society approach, involving cooperation across government, the private sector, and civil society. As NATO navigates these challenges, the alliance's ability to safeguard its societies and shared values will depend on its resilience efforts.
What's Next?
NATO will continue to assess and enhance its resilience efforts, focusing on areas such as societal resilience, health systems, critical infrastructure, and supply chains. The alliance will deepen cooperation with partners, particularly the European Union, to strengthen resilience measures. NATO's Resilience Committee will play a key role in coordinating these efforts and addressing emerging challenges. As the alliance adapts to the evolving security landscape, the emphasis will be on ensuring readiness and the ability to respond effectively to threats.
